Pirika shines as Papua triumph in IC08

AS FOOTBALL legend Kevin Sheedy presented Papua New Guinea with theInternational Cup trophy, the Mosquitoes swarmed excitedly around theirlong-awaited prize.

For six years Papua New Guinea has dreamt of International Cup glory,having come so close as runners-up in 2002 (to Ireland) and 2005 (NewZealand). At Friday’s MCG curtain-raiser to the Hawthorn versus WesternBulldogs finals clash, the dream was realised.

They started nervously against defending champions, the New ZealandFalcons, with inaccurate kicking contributing three points to PNG’stotal in the opening minutes, to the Falcon’s two straight goals. NewZealand dominated with clean skills that moved the ball quickly out ofdefence and used their height to mark strongly overhead.

But the Falcons made errors too, with usually reliable forward RichardBradley marking a perfect kick from teammate Nick Cuneen before missinga shot at goal from 25 metres out. Bradley would later make amends andkick two majors for the match, finishing with a tournament total of 17to equal competition leading goal kicker, Canada’s Scott Fleming.

The Falcons continued their run as James Monaghan split the middle from40 metres to give them a 3.1 (19) to 0.4 (4) lead at the first break.

The Mosquitoes responded in the second quarter with their first goal, asoccer off the ground by Emas Wartova. Play opened up for PNG as theyexploited their speed through the midfield, but a behind scored from aset shot by Ali Pinda gave the Falcons control again and Andriu Sucuanswered with a goal.

Wartova and 17-year-old Amua Pirika combined to produce a goal for PNGthat kept them in touch, but again New Zealand responded as JamesBowden took a strong grab and drew a free kick when centring toBradley, who was taken high in the marking contest. He took the kickfrom 40 metres, directly in front for a goal. Half time scores NewZealand 5.3(33) to Papua New Guinea 2.5(17).

The Mosquitoes hit their stride during the third quarter, butinaccurate kicking threatened to deny them International Cup triumphfor the third successive tournament. By three-quarter time they trailedthe Falcons by six points.

As darkness set in for the final term, the crowd building for the maingame, Papua New Guinea found something. Young guns John James andStanis Susuve provided opportunities up forward. But young Pirikafrustrated with a shot at goal touched off the boot, a point kickedfrom a set shot and a kick into the man on the mark after PNG appliedstrong tackling pressure to force a holding decision.

Then a goal on the run from Donald Barry put PNG in front for the firsttime. Pirika’s persistence was finally awarded with another goal on therun to put PNG in front by eight points.

With five minutes remaining, New Zealand’s Bradley answered from a setshot virtually straight in front to bring the game back to two points.The Falcons pressured in defence, and PNG looked to be in danger when asmothered kick forced play over the boundary line.

But the Mosquitoes maintained their attack on the ball to keep play inthe midfield. The Falcons gained possession with a minute to go buttook too long to play on, losing the ball and conceding a free kick onthe siren.

The match was won, but Pirika’s kick after siren from a tight angle, 30metres out, added a touch of class. He bent it, Buddy-style, throughthe middle to the delight of the Hawthorn cheer squad who would laterwitness similar displays from their Hawks hero in the main game.

Mosquitoes support staff streamed onto the field like Pirika had justkicked his 100th goal for the season, the side unable to hide theirjubilation at becoming International Cup champions.

Papua New Guinea 0.4 2.5 4.10 7.12 (54)
New Zealand 3.1 5.3 6.4 7.4 (46)

GOALS
Papua New Guinea: A. Pirika 3, D. Waluka 2, D. Barry, A. Pinda
New Zealand: R. Bradley 2, J. Bowden, A. Congalton, M. Doran, J. Monaghan, N. Cunneen

BEST
Papua New Guinea: D. Barry, S. Susuve, A. Pinda, E. Wartova, O. Gibson, A. Pirika
New Zealand: M. Doran, J. Maling, A. Congalton, M. Jones, M. Jones, S. McNally

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